Cancer Screening 1

Question 1

What are the major cancer screening and dx points we talked about?

Answer 1

• Lumps and abn growths
• Persistent cough
• Fatigue
• Change in bowel and bladder habits
• Unusual bleeding or discharge
• Pain, which may be specific or not

Question 2

What does the skin cancer screening mnemonic “ABCDE” stand for?

Answer 2

Asymmetrical
Borders
Color
Diameter
Evolving over time

Question 3

ABCDE mnemonic

What should you look for with borders?

Answer 3

Irregular (coast of Maine sign)

Question 4

ABCDE mnemonic

What about color would be concerning?

Answer 4

Variegated

Question 5

ABCDE mnemonic

What is the diameter threshold where you would be concerned?

Answer 5

Larger than 6mm (pencil eraser)

Question 6

What are the 3 categories of screening approaches to cancer screening?

Answer 6

• inspection/palpation
• blood tests and cytology
• imaging

Question 7

For inspection and palpation, what sorts of things will be done?

Answer 7

• regular physical exam
• skin inspection
• buccal cavity and throat inspection
• palpation

Question 8

With buccal cavity and throat inspection, what are you looking for?

Answer 8

• abn coloration
• growths
• sores
• lumps

Question 9

What is often palpated as part of cancer screening?

Answer 9

• Thyroid
• Testicles
• Breast
• Prostate
• Lymph nodes

Question 10

What are some of the major blood tests/cytology used in cancer screening?

Answer 10

• CBC
• PSA levels
• PAP test
• Fecal occult blood test
• Urine cytology

Question 11

CBC =

Answer 11

Complete blood cell counts

Question 12

CBC is checking to see this

Answer 12

If there are too many or too few of each type

Question 13

PSA =

Answer 13

Prostate
Specific
Antigen

Question 14

What does a high PSA level indicate?

Answer 14

Prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancers

PSA blood test

Question 15

PAP =

Answer 15

Papanicolaou

Question 16

What factors increase risk for cervical cancer?

Answer 16

• Frequent intercourse
• Multiple partners
• STDs, esp HPB and chlamydia
• Smoking
• Stress
• Oral Contraceptives

Question 17

What staging system is used for the PAP test?

Answer 17

Bethesda System (7 stages)

Question 18

With Bethesda staging, is a high or low number better?

Answer 18

LOW

Question 19

If a PAP test comes back with metaplasia or dysplasia, what will be done?

Answer 19

Colposcopy

Question 20

What does the fecal occult blood test do?

Answer 20

Tests fecal sample for bleeding anywhere along gastrointestinal tract

Question 21

Urine cytology tests reveal cancer cells from:

Answer 21

• Kidney
• Ureters
• Bladder
• Urethra

Question 22

What are the common imaging techniques done for cancer screening?

Answer 22

• Standard radiographs
• Mammography
• Endoscopy

Question 23

In addition to an obvious mass, what may be seen on a standard chest radiograph that would indicate cancer?

Answer 23

• Widening of the mediastinum
• Atelectasis
• Consolidation
• Pleural effusion

Question 24

Why is widening of the mediastinum problematic?

Answer 24

Suggestive of spread to lymph nodes there

Question 25

What is atelectasis?

Answer 25

Collapse of the alveoli

Question 26

Why is atelectasis something that would be seen with a cancerous process?

Answer 26

Collapse of alveoli secondary to airway blockage (from tumor)

Question 27

Consolidation occurs 2˚ to this

Answer 27

Fluid infiltration into airways and alveoli

Question 28

Consolidation will look like

Answer 28

Spongy mass

Question 29

Why might a cancer pt have pleural effusion?

Answer 29

triggered by cancer cell irritation of pleural membranes

Question 30

What is mammography?

Answer 30

• Low power radiographic imaging of the breast
• Done horizontally, vertically, and on the bias
• Can use to image both cancerous and benign growths

Question 31

Mammography and radiation

Answer 31

1/10 radiation of an average chest x-ray

Question 32

What types of procedures are done that fall under the endoscopy category?

Answer 32

• Sigmoidoscopy

- Colonoscopy

Question 33

Endoscopy requires this type of prep

Answer 33

• laxatives

- nothing but clear liquids for 1-3 days prior to exam

Question 34

These are often elevated in multiple myeloma

Answer 34

Serum immunoglobulins

Question 35

_____ _______ are associated with specific forms of cancer

Answer 35

Tumor markers